1926-D $20 MS64 PCGS....

Description

Lovely Near-Gem 1926-D Double Eagle

1926-D $20 MS64 PCGS. Like many other rarities in the
Saint-Gaudens series of double eagles, this date had a considerable
mintage but a low survival rate. A total of 481,000 1926-D double
eagles were struck during the year, and most remained in storage
before being melted in the 1930s. This scenario is common to many
of the coins in this series, pieces that would otherwise be
considered common dates, based on mintage alone. There are no known
hoards of this date, and no significant quantities have ever been
imported from overseas holdings. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth
commented: "The 1926-D issue is a very rare coin. The mintage was
laid to waste by the bureaucrats who demanded that all gold coins
be returned from circulation and melted in the 1930s. The few that
did survive were either found overseas or were held back by a
handful of wealthy collectors able to keep them through the turmoil
of the ensuing few decades."
Like this piece, most known examples are in various Mint State
grades. Only about 10% to 20% of the known population is in
circulated grades. For example, Dave Bowers estimated a field
population that included 30 to 45 circulated coins and 250 to 400
Mint State pieces. We believe that the actual population is most
likely at the low end of those estimates.
This example is a lovely near-Gem specimen with satiny yellow-gold
luster enhanced by light pink and orange toning. The rims are
markedly beveled, as usual for these coins, and the strike shows
some weakness at the center. Each side has the few slight abrasions
that prevent a Gem grade assessment. Population: 17 in 64, 7 finer
(12/07).(Registry
values: N7079) (NGC ID# 26GE, PCGS# 9184)

The Coinage of Augustus Saint-Gaudens is an issue-by-issue examination of these two artistically inspired series of gold coins.
Each date and mintmark is reviewed with up-to-date information, much of which has never been previously published. The book is based on
two extraordinary collections: The Phillip H. Morse collection and the Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor collection.